“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” – 1 Corinthians 4:20.
Christianity is not a costume party. It is not a social club. It is war.“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…” – Ephesians 6:12. Yet many believers settle for cosmetic church while their souls scream for deliverance.
TITLES WITHOUT FIRE ARE EMPTY SHELLS.
Religiosity looks holy. You attend church weekly. You lead prayer meetings. You sing in the choir. You wear big titles: Bishop, Archdeacon, General Overseer, Evangelist, Prophet Dr. etc.
Some earned those titles in the secret place of prayer, in fasting, in tears. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet…” – Matthew 6:6. But others? They got promoted after years in office or after submitting certificates. Paper promotion, zero power.
Ask yourself: Do your titles carry fire or just grammar? “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” – 2 Timothy 3:5. God is not impressed by your appellation. He checks your oil level. “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps… and the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil” – Matthew 25:7-8. No oil, no light. No fire, no deliverance.
CERTIFICATES CANNOT CAST OUT DEMONS
Apostle Achidume said it plain: Real Christianity is not about diplomas and degrees in theology. It is about dunamis power. Christianity is an encounter and not literature. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” – Acts 1:8.
Look at Saul who.later became Apostle Paul and was privileged to write no less than 13 books out of the 27 books of the New Testament Romans,1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy Titus, Philemon No theology degree. He was a student of Gamaliel [Acts 22:3], a Pharisee of Pharisees [Philippians 3:5].
As a matter of fact, he was religious terrorist hunting Christians. But one encounter on Damascus Road shattered him. “And suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven” – Acts 9:3. One second in God’s presence did what 30 years of religion could not do. Similar experience abounds that would be told when the time is right..
You can quote Greek and Hebrew. But can you say to a demon, “Come out,” and it obeys? “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils” – Mark 16:17. If not, your certificate is just paper. Don't get me wrong. Having theology certificate isn't a misnomer, I do have certificate and I'm still going to acquire more. That is sacrosanct. Knowledge is Power.
THE FIRE TEST: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HELL SHOWS UP ?
I learned this in Bible school during deliverance sessions. Our father in the Lord, Pastor Rufus Adebayo would shout: “You must have the fire inside of you!” Why? Because demons talk back. “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” – Acts 19:15_. If you are empty, they will strip you naked and send you running.
The devil is legalistic. He is the “accuser of the brethren” – Revelation 12:10. If you have secret sin, he will file a petition in the courts of heaven. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?” – Romans 8:33. Only those whose hands are clean [Psalm 24:4]. Jesus said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” – John 14:30. Can the devil say that about you?
True anointing breaks yokes. “And it shall come to pass… that the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” – Isaiah 10:27. I have seen stubborn demons refuse to leave until a truly anointed man commands, “Break!” and their pots shatter. That is not taught in class. That is imparted in the secret place.
CHECK YOUR MOTIVE: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT CHURCH?
The Holy Spirit interrupted me while writing this. He said: “Ask them why they came.” So I ask you: Why are you in that church?
Is it because the pastor speaks polished English? Good English is fine, but “the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” – 1 Corinthians 4:20. If eloquence is your bait, you will “dwell too long in this mount” – Deuteronomy 1:6. Israel spent 40 years on an 11-day journey because they were in the wrong place with the wrong mindset.
Is it because it is a “billionaire church”?
Again, the Spirit dropped that word in my hearing as i was trudging on. If you are there for connections, for “yahoo blessings”, for status, I pray you still find deliverance. But remember: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” – Mark 8:36
The spirit prodded me again? Is it your family church?
Tradition can be a trap. Your problem may be ancestral, but your solution may not be in your father’s church. “Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house” – Psalm 45:10. You need the leading of the Holy Spirit. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” – Romans 8:14.
Again, just as i was about gathering my personal thoughts, another leading dropped. Is it because of the name? Yes, name. Some brethren would say: "I just like the name.” Brethren, is that enough? You may be in a praise church when what you need is a deliverance altar. You may be dressed in agbada when your bloodline is still in chains. The scripture says : “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” – Hosea 4:6.
Here is the law: If your church does not change you, change your church. Stop decorating bondage. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” – 2 Corinthians 3:17. If there is no liberty, check your location.
Christianity is a journey, not a destination. “Not as though I had already attained… but I press toward the mark” – Philippians 3:12-14. The more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know. “If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” – 1 Corinthians 8:2.
Do not settle for cosmetics when you need surgery. Choose fire over form. Choose encounter over entertainment. Choose deliverance over decoration.
A word is enough for the wise. This is from the throne of Grace. May the grace of God find us all.
Pastor Waheed Ogunjobi
Minister of God | Writer | Journalist | Author | PR Consultant
This message is via:
Writing and Researching For Christ Mission :90, Ilugun Itoko Community, Ajangboun Road, Abeokuta
waheedogunjobi@gmail.com | 08035004741
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